Contents
INTRODUCTION
The importance of breathing well
The body–breath–mind connection
Understanding your breath
CHAPTER 1
EXPLORING YOUR BREATH
How your breath works
Your energetic breath
Breathing for stress-relief
Assessing your breath
Cleansing your respiratory system
Preparing for breathing
The art of sitting
CHAPTER 2
YOUR VITALIZING BREATH: UNDERSTANDING PRANA
Your dynamic life-force
Prana visualization
Prana fable
Coping with negative emotions
Directing prana
Letting go
Aligning your energies
Integrating your complementary halves
Breathing for balance
Prana exercise sequence
CHAPTER 3
YOUR NOURISHING BREATH: UNDERSTANDING SAMANA
Your digesting breath
Samana visualization
Samana fable
Drawing on the warmth of the sun
Firing up positive energy
Igniting motivation
Cooling your anger
Samana exercise sequence
CHAPTER 4
YOUR EXPANSIVE BREATH: UNDERSTANDING VYANA
Breathing from your heart
Vyana visualization
Vyana fable
Thinking outside the box
Walking with your breath
Enhancing your self-image
Opening your lungs
Breathing with compassion
Vyana exercise sequence
CHAPTER 5
YOUR CLEANSING BREATH: UNDERSTANDING APANA
Clearing out your system
Apana visualization
Releasing tension
Overcoming stress
Breathing for new life
Rooting your breath
Climbing the breath ladder
Eliminating negative thoughts
Apana exercise sequence
CHAPTER 6
YOUR EXPRESSIVE BREATH: UNDERSTANDING UDANA
Tapping your inspirational energy
Udana visualization
Udana fable
Breathing for success
Your upward-flying breath
The sounds of silence
Preserving positive energy
Floating on air
Udana exercise sequence
DIRECTORY: HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMES
ADD/ADHD
Anger
Anxiety/panic attacks
Asthma/skin disorders
Chronic fatigue/lack of energy/ lethargy
Circulatory issues
Concentration
Depression
Digestive problems
Dyslexia
Grief
Hay fever/allergies
High blood pressure
Insomnia
Meditation
Migraines/headaches
Pregnancy/childbirth
Pre-menstrual syndrome
Sports performance
Stress
Weight problems
Glossary
Further reading/resources
Acknowledgements